averill



R. G. AVERlLL.

DRAW BAR CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1. 1911.

1 ,3@5,9@7 a Patented June 10, 1919.

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amvcufoz REX G. AVERILL wi/bvmoo I attoznma @NTTED %TATET% PATENT @FFTQE.

REX G. AVERILL, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE OHIO BRASS COMPANY, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

DRAW-BAR CARRIER.

Application filed September 7, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REX G. AVERILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield. in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draw-Bar Carriers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in draw bar carriers and is primarily adapted to be used for yieldingly supporting a draw bar having lateral and vertical movement.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a draw bar carrier that will permit coupled cars to pass over extreme vertical curves or breakers in the grade without subjecting the coupled bars or the parts cooperating therewith to abnormal strains or pressure.

A further object of my invention is to provide a draw bar carrier that will permit of combined lateral and vertical movement and which is strong, durable, and simple in construction.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for normally supporting a draw bar in a predetermined vertical position, the means being laterally movable and providing for free upward movement of the draw bar and spring controlled downward movement thereof.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide means whereby the part upon which the draw bar rests will automatically adjust itself so as to keep the draw bars in line with each other as the coupled cars pass over slight or common vertical curves in the grade and means adapted to cooperate with the first mentioned means whereby additional movement is provided permitting the cars to pass over extreme vertical curves or breaks in the grade without causing any of the parts to bear abnormal strains or pressure.

With these and other useful objects in view, as will appear, the invention consists of the features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of the parts hereinafter, more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the embodiment of my invention, and in which:

Figure 1, is a front elevation of the carrier with one side in vertical section showing the relation of the various parts when Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 10, 1919.

Serial No. 190,101.

normally supporting the draw bar in a fixed position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my device.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of one side of the carrier showing the yoke in a lowered position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view as Fig. 3 showing a slightly modified form of construction.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the carrier and the supporting means showing the application of the draw bar and means of supporting it for radial movement.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the housing taken on the line 77 of Fig. l with springs removed.

The important feature of my invention resides in the compact arrangement of the various parts whereby extreme vertical movement is provided, which is desirable, and which it has not been able to accomplish heretofore, for reason that in the design of a device of this character it is essential to bear in mind certain limitations in size which govern the construction of same. This I attain by the combination hereinafter described and which summarily consists in connecting a yoke and a hanger by yielding means connected in series.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts in the different views, reference numeral (1) generally indicates the draw bar carrier embodying my invention shown as usually provided with projections (2) forming the inverted T slot (3) adapted to receive and slidably engage for lateral movement the circular bar (4) which is secured to the car body, not shown, in the usual manner and by means of which the draw bar carrier (1) is supported.

The draw bar carrier (1) is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 as applied in practice normally supporting the draw bar (5) in a predetermined relation with the body of the car. The draw bar (5) is pivotally connected as indicated at (6) for lateral and (7956031 movement in the end of the bracket The details of the draw bar and the bracket and the manner in which they are connected are not shown as they do not form a part of the invention.

In the construction of a device of this character embodying my invention I prefer to employ a hanger comprising a top (10) having a downwardly projecting housing (11) provided at each end thereof. The housings are preferably made of U shape cross section and are each provided with an opening (12) in the lower end thereof. Arranged within each of-the housings (11) is a compression spring (13) the upper end of which yieldingly supports a nut (14) by engaging the flanged portion (15) thereof. The spring normally maintains the nut in engagement with the end surface of the housing and compressing when subjected to abnormal pressure whereby downward movement of the nut is provided, the purpose of which will be fully described hereinafter.

The housings (11) are spaced apart providing an elongated opening (16) adapted to loosely receive the body portion (17) of the draw bar (5) which is normally supported therein in a pre-determined position by resting upon the seats (18) of the yoke (19) the draw bar being movable upward in the space provided between the top surface thereof and the end of the opening (16).

Each end of the yoke (19) is provided with an upwardly extending sleeve (20) having an inwardly projecting flange (21) formed on the end thereof. The yoke (19) is normally supported in a fixed relation with respect to the hanger by means of the bolts (22) which are threadedly connected to the nuts (14) each havin a washer (23) mounted upon the head (24 thereof, and a compression spring (25) one end of which is mounted upon the washer (23) positioned within the sleeve (20) and the opposite end thereof engaging the flange (21) exerting a pressure thereon whereby the end of the sleeve is normally yieldingly maintained in abutment with the lower surface of the flange (15) as indicated at (26) Fig. 1, the sleeves (20) being loosely received within the housings (11) through the openings (12).

The bolts (22) when in normal position are locked against turning or unscrewing by the bolts (27) which are secured in the yoke (19; engaging opposite sides of the head (24 It will be apparent from the foregoing description and by referring to Fig. 1, that the yoke (19) is yieldably supported and connected to the hanger by means of the springs (13) and (25) which are connected in series engaging the yoke through the medium of the flanged nuts (14) and the sleeves (20) and that the yoke is normally maintained in a predetermined position by the tension of the springs which are adapted to yield by compressing, permitting downward movement, thereof when subjected to abnormal pressure or strains due to extreme vertical curves or breaks in the grade, and that the yoke will be restored to its normal operative position by the action of' the springs when relieved from the abnormal strain or pressure.

Attention is called to the fact also that the combination herein described is susceptible of a change in the mode of operation, if desired, by varying the tension of the springs which are connected in series, and which, as shown in Fig. 3, may be adapted to be simultaneously engaged in the downward movement of the yoke, the springs in this construction exerting equal pressure whereby downward movement of the yoke is normally resisted. Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the combination and the arrangement of the parts are identical to the form shown in Fig. 3, but differing in the construction which in this form provides for the independent compression of one of the springs whereby sulficient downward movement of the yoke is provided under average conditions, and which when tightly compressed, provides means for engaging a second spring connected in series therewith, whereby additional movement of the yoke is provided, it being understood that in the latter construction one of the springs is comparatively weaker than the other. The threaded connection between the bolt (22) and the nut (14) permits of varying the tension of the spring (25).

It will be observed thatthe combination described involves the use of a plurality of springs mounted and connected in a manner so as to operate as a continuous spring, attention being called to the fact that the springs may be of equal strength adapted to be simultaneously compressed under pres sure, or that one of the springs may be comparatively weaker than the other in which case they would be consecutively compressed under pressure. Accordingly, I have adopted connected in series as a generic term in the claims, to indicate any suitable means of arranging or connecting springs adapted to be engaged or to operate in the manner stated.

Having fully described my invention and shown several forms embodying the same, I do not wish to be limited to the details of the construction shown, since these can he obviously changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A draw bar carrier comprising in combination a hanger member and a support member for suspending a coupler mechanism from a car body, a spring engaging the hanger member and adapted to yield under strain, a spring connecting member also engaging said spring and a spring interposed between the spring connecting member and the support member and adapted to yield under strain and add to the amount of yield of the first mentioned spring when under strain.

A draw bar carrier consisting of a pair of yielding mechanism units, each unit comprising a plurality of concentrically mounted springs adapted to be compressed, a U shaped member having secured to each end one of the springs of a unit, means on the U shaped member to attach the carrier to a car body, a U shaped member for supporting a coupler having secured to each end another spring of a unit and means connecting together the springs of a unit so that they will co-act together to permit the members to move relatively to each other a maximum amount equal to the sum of the movements permitted by each spring of a unit.

3. A draw bar carrier comprising in combination a hanger member to be secured to a car, a supporting member for yieldably supporting a draw bar, interposed yielding means connecting the members together consisting of a plurality. of springs each to be compressed under action of the supporting member, connecting means positioned interior of and concentric with the springs and engaging the opposite ends of two adjacent springs for connecting and holding the springs together in co-acting relation.

4:. The combination in a supporting device for car couplers of a yielding mechanism comprising in combination a spring adapted to have one end engage one member of the draw bar carrier and resilient means interposed between the other end of the spring and another member of the draw bar carrier and engaging therewith, to permit the above mentioned members to move relatively to each other a maximum amount equal to the sum of the movement of each yielding element.

5. A draw bar carrier for yieldably supporting the free end of a draw bar comprising a hanger to be movably secured to a car body, a spring compressed in an opening provided in the hanger, a supporting yoke, a second spring compressed in an opening provided in the yoke, and a supporting device engaging both of said springs whereby the yoke is connected to the hanger, both of said springs compressing when subjected to pressure by downward movement of the yoke.

6. A draw bar carrier for yieldably sup porting the free end of a draw bar comprising a hanger provided with an extension, a yoke provided with a projection receivable within said extension, a spring compressed within said extension and encircling the projection, a second spring within the projection, and a connecting device supported by the first mentioned spring and extending within said projection and holding the last mentioned spring under compression whereby the yoke is supported and normally yieldably held in engagement with the hanger, both of said springs compressing, one within the extension and the other within the projection, by downward movement of the yoke when subjected to abnormal pressure.

7. A draw bar carrier for yieldably supporting the free end of a draw bar comprising a hanger provided with a cavity, an expansion spring compressed therein, a supporting yoke having a projection movable within said spring, another expansion spring within the projection, and a device engaging opposite ends of said springs and holding the last mentioned spring under compression whereby the yoke is movably connected to the hanger and normally yieldably maintained in engagement therewith, both of said springs compressing by movement of the yoke when subjected to abnormal pressure.

8. A spring mechanism for use with a draw bar carrier comprisingin combination a pair of springs, a spring connecting member positioned interior of and concentric with the springs and engaging an opposite end of each spring and means on the spring connecting members to vary the tension of one spring relatively to that of the other spring.

9. A draw bar carrier comprising in combination a hanger member, a spring supported by the hanger member and adapted to be compressed, a spring connecting member supported by said spring, a support member to be engaged by a coupler mechanism and a spring interposed between the spring connecting member and the support member and adapted to be compressed, the spring connecting member being concentrically and internally mounted relatively to the spring.

10. A draw bar carrier having in combination withholding and support members, a spring mechanism yieldably connecting the two members and consisting of a spring having one end supported by the hanger member and fixed relatively thereto, a second spring placed interior of and supported by the first spring and having both ends movable relatively to the hanger member, a spring connecting member engaging an end of each spring to connect the two springs together and one end of the second spring supporting the suspension member, thereby permitting the relative movement of the members when the springs are compressed.

11. A draw bar carrier comprising in combination a hanger member and a support member and resilient means interposed between the members to yieldably connect the members together, the resilient means consisting of a plurality of concentrically mounted springs adapted to compress under action of the support member and having one end of one spring engaging means on the hanger member and one end of another spring engaging means on the support mem her and spring connecting means engaging the opposite and otherwise unengaged ends of difl'erent springs to hold the group of springs normally positioned and to co-act together as described.

1'2. A draw bar carrier comprising in combination a hanger member and a support member for suspending a coupler mechanism from a car body, a yielding mechanism interposed between the members and comprising a plurality of. springs V mounted to yield under strain and spring connectingmeans en aging oppositely disposed ends of two di erent springs to hold the springs normally positioned and to coact together, as described.

13. A draw bar carrier adapted to suspend a coupler mechanism from a car in variable vertical relation thereto; comprising in combination a hanger member and a support member,- means on one member to secure the carrier to the car, a resilient means interposed between the members to permit moving the members relatively to each other and comprising a spring supported by the hanger member, a spring connecting member positioned interior of and concentric with and supported by the spring, a spring positioned concentric with the first spring and supported by the spring connecting member and means projecting from the sup port member and positioned intermediate of and concentric with the two springs and engaging the second spring in supported relation thereto, all springs adapted to be compressed under downward movement of the support member.

ll. A draw bar carrier adapted to secure a coupler mechanism from a car in variable vertical relation thereto; comprising in combination a hanger member and a yoke member, means on one member for attaching thecarrier to a car; means projecting from each end of the hanger member and supporting a spring, a spring connecting member engaging each spring, a second spring supported by each connecting member, means projecting from each end of the yoke member and each means engaging one of the second springs and supporting the yoke member, all springs adapted to be compressed and permit varying the distance between the members.

15. The combination in a supporting device for car couplers of a hanger member to be secured to a car, a supporting member for yieldably supporting a car coupler, interposed yielding mechanism engaging and maintaining the members in operative relation comprising a plurality of springs each to be compressed under action of the support member and spring connecting means positioned concentric with the springs and engaging the opposite ends of any two springs for connecting and holding the springs together in co-acting relation.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

REX G. AVERILL. 

